MARYSVILLE, Ohio, Dec. 15, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bees, butterflies and other pollinators are nature’s unsung heroes, critical to the sustainability of one-third of the planet’s food supply and the health of millions of flower gardens. In an effort to help combat the loss of pollinator habitats in recent years, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company announced plans today for a yearlong effort to improve consumer education about pollinators and promote the creation of backyard and urban habitats where they can thrive.
The “Pollinator Promise” will fund the establishment of at least 50 pollinator gardens throughout the United States in 2016, as part of the company’s GRO 1000 community gardening initiative. The GRO 1000 initiative, now in its sixth year, partners with the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the Pollinator Stewardship Council, The Franklin Park Conservatory and others, to promote the availability of additional grants for gardens and green spaces throughout the country.
“The importance of pollinators is unquestionable and it is easier than most people think to create a habitat where they can thrive,” said Jim King, senior vice president of corporate affairs at ScottsMiracle-Gro. “The Pollinator Promise is a year-long effort to help home gardeners and urban planners understand the critical role these creatures play in our ecosystem and to provide them the tools necessary to grow successful pollinator gardens.”
With thousands of gardeners and backyard enthusiasts connecting with Miracle-Gro® each year, the company has also launched a web site dedicated to this effort. ScottsMiracleGro.com/PollinatorPromise provides online answers to common questions about backyard pollinator gardens. Through its existing relationship with the Tournament of Roses, ScottsMiracle-Gro also will directly engage gardeners throughout 2016 about the need for pollinator habits. In fact, this year’s Miracle-Gro® float will prominently feature pollinators.
“We are calling upon individual gardeners and communities to help reverse the downward population trend by restoring the natural habitat bees and butterflies need to survive,” said Michele Colopy, Program Director, of the Pollinator Stewardship Council. “We are pleased to partner with ScottsMiracle-Gro to help spearhead these efforts that are at the core of our mission.”
To join the effort, submit a grant application open January 4-February 22 or to learn more about how to create your own pollinator garden, visit: scottsmiraclegro.com/pollinatorpromise .
About ScottsMiracle-Gro
With more than $3 billion in worldwide sales, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company is the world's largest marketer of branded consumer products for lawn and garden care. The Company's brands are the most recognized in the industry. In the U.S., the Company's Scotts®, Miracle-Gro® and Ortho® brands are market-leading in their categories, as is the consumer Roundup® brand, which is marketed in North America and most of Europe exclusively by Scotts and owned by Monsanto. In the U.S., we operate Scotts LawnService®, the second largest residential lawn care service business. In Europe, the Company's brands include Weedol®, Pathclear®, Evergreen®, Levington®, Miracle-Gro®, KB®, Fertiligène® and Substral®. In 2015, the Company ranked in Forbes 100 Most Reputable Companies in America. For additional information, visit us at www.ScottsMiracleGro.com .
Contact: Molly Jennings; (561) 681-7683 molly.jennings@scotts.com
